The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-04-02
TIE UNFINISHED GAME.
Interesting "Reminiscences of an Une
pected Meeting with Abraham Lincoln

pected Meeting with Abraham Lincoln.
"What is new with you, E. P. Brad
street," was asked of that gentleman
recently.
Nothing of moment that lawyer
can be allowed to tell, you know" was
the reply. "But reading the life of
Abraham Lincoln, which l have just
finished. has recalled pleasant recol-
lection of that remarkable man in my
early life. l am, perhaps, the only
man in Cincinnati who ever played
chess with him. In the late summer Of
1859 had an attack of Western fever,
and went to spy out the young and
growing Western cities to select u loca-
tion. We started homeward from St.
Joseph, Mo-, on a morning train. Soon
from the rear of the car commenced
uproarious peals of jolly laughter, con-
nected with story telling, which con-
tinued at intervals all day, and kept
everybody wide awake and in good
humor with all about them.
"A group of sunburnt, swarthy and
plain-Iooking men were the cause of all
the uproar, which continued until we
reached Hannibal, on the Mississippi
river, and everybody wondered who
those jolly good fellows could be. My
wife and l went to hotel to wait for a
downward steamer, and, going to the
parlor, produced our little set of chess
men, adapted for travellers use, both
being fond of the game, and sat down
to while away the time. After playing
awhile l heard somebody quietly enter,
and looking up l saw very tall, queer
looking gentleman approaching, whom
at once recognized as the leader in
the tremendous fun that we had heard
all day. Begging our pardon, he said
he would watch the game if we were
willing, and of course we made him
welcome. Directly he said the lady
needed his help, and had l any objec-
tons to his advising her? None being
offered, he joined forces against me,
but managed to win.
''Then my wife, rising, insisted that
the stranger should play with me, AT
ter some reluctance he gathered his
| ganglion limbs under the table, and we
went at it in earnest. He played well,
and, having fair chance to study him,
rs he sat opposite, noted the wonder
full combination of peculiar character
istics in his head and face, which after
ward became so familiar to the Ameri-
can people, either by seeing the man
himself OF his never-wearying portraits,
and | concluded he must be a person Of
some Importance, whoever he was. We
talked more than the rules allow as the
game went ON, and his face would il
Illuminate in wonderful way whenever
he made a good point against me.
Suddenly shrill whistle of a
steamer sounded, and my opponent
sprang to his feet. That is the Alton
boat, and | must go We both urged
him to stay and finish the game, but he
was immovable and declared he could
not remain.
Standing and looking over the game
moment he said: You will soon beat
even me, anyhow, believe; but remem-
Der how it stands, and we will some day
finish it.
"'Agreed, l said, Ishall remember.
"Then he inquired our name, and l in
turn asked for his.
"'Lincoln,' was his answer.
Lincoln, of Illinois?"
Eyes; that's what they call me-
"'What! Are you the man who, in
debate with Douglas all over that State,
has turned the people nearly crazy all
summer?'
''He laughed loud, hearty, joyous
laugh, and said: We'll, they call me
Abe Lincoln, and we have had lively
time over there with Douglas. l was
worn out, and went way off into the
Northwest to hunt buffalo awhile, and
met with those friends of mine on the
car, one of whom is Baker, Secretary of
State of Illinois, and we are Just get
ting home
He kindly grasped our hands in
goodbye, charged me to be sure and
finish that game with him some time,
and with cheerful smile strobe away,
we watching him to his boat But |
never spoke to him again, nor saw him
but once, when he rode by our home
here in an enormous procession, in an
open barouche; en- route to his inaugu-
ration. - Cincinnati Enquirer.